This year’s Patterson Medals–the most prestigious athletic honor awarded at UNC–will go to three athletes who excelled throughout their careers while also helping to win national championships for the Tar Heels.

Men’s basketball standout Joel Berry II joins women’s lacrosse star Marie McCool and outstanding hurdler Kenny Selmon as recipients of the honor, which is primarily based on career athletic achievements–with a minimum of at least three years played for the Tar Heels.

Sportsmanship and leadership are also taken into account.

As a junior, Berry was named the Most Outstanding Player at the 2017 Final Four as the Tar Heels captured their first national title in basketball since 2009. In 2018, the Florida native was recognized as a First Team All-ACC and Third Team All-American performer.

McCool became the first UNC women’s lacrosse player to be named the National Midfielder of the Year in 2018, while also becoming the first player to win the ACC’s version of the award in back-to-back years. She finishes her career–which includes a national title in 2016–as the third player in program history to be a First Team All-American in three consecutive seasons.

This past June, Selmon won the NCAA Championship in the 400-meter hurdles. The race was his last in a Tar Heel uniform, capping a career that includes three First Team All-America selections, the 2018 USTWCCCA Southeast Region Track Athlete of the Year honor and an Academic All-ACC selection. 

 

 

 

Photo via Todd Melet

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